An interview with former Poet Laureate Billy Collins, who isn't afraid to be funny

Former U.S. Poet Laureate Billy Collins is so popular that his poems make regular fodder for YouTube videos, being recited by everyone from Bill Murray to a 3-year-old boy. (The boy's YouTube video has been viewed more than 770,000 times, while the actor's has nearly 10,000 views.)

As one of the rare poets whose live events can attract crowds of fans, Mr. Collins is highly sought after for public readings. His poems are accessible and often funny, and can ruminate on everything from Cheerios to mortality. In 1999, he...